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Tesla has added a new Standard Model 3 variant to its UK line-up, knocking £2,000 off the saloon’s starting price and making it the cheapest Tesla available in the UK.
What is the new Tesla Model 3 Standard?
The new Tesla Model 3 Standard becomes the most affordable way into Tesla ownership in the UK, with prices starting from £37,990, undercutting the previous entry point by £2,000. Positioned below the existing Model 3 range, it’s designed to attract cost-conscious buyers who still want Tesla’s core technology, range and charging infrastructure.
Despite the lower price, Tesla hasn’t changed the fundamentals. The Model 3 Standard remains a fully electric saloon capable of covering up to 332 miles on a single charge (WLTP), putting it firmly in line with far more expensive rivals such as the Polestar 2, BYD Seal and BMW i4.
(Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.)
How it compares to the rest of the Model 3 range
Within Tesla’s updated UK line-up, the Model 3 Standard now sits well below the next step up, the Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive version. That gap amounts to around £7,000, making the Standard a genuinely distinct entry-level option rather than a lightly discounted trim.
Performance has been dialled back slightly to help keep costs down. The Model 3 Standard completes 0–62mph in 6.2 seconds, and its top speed is limited to 110mph. While those figures are lower than other Model 3 variants, the car still feels brisk by everyday standards and remains quicker than many petrol and diesel saloons on UK roads.
Lower insurance and running costs
One of the biggest advantages of the new Model 3 Standard is its reduced insurance group. By limiting performance and simplifying the specification, Tesla has managed to place the car in insurance group 32, the lowest of any Tesla currently on sale in the UK.
That makes the Model 3 Standard particularly appealing to business users, company car drivers and private buyers looking to keep monthly costs predictable – especially when combined with the model’s strong efficiency and access to Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network.
What’s been removed to reduce the price?
To achieve the lower starting price, Tesla has removed some of the more premium features found in other Model 3 versions. Inside, the Standard model uses a mix of cloth and vegan leather upholstery rather than full faux leather, while the audio system loses its subwoofer and traditional AM/FM radio.
Other omissions include the rear passenger touchscreen, ambient interior lighting, ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. The driver’s seat and steering wheel are now manually adjustable rather than electrically powered. Tesla has also simplified storage by removing elements of the centre console design found in higher trims.
While these changes will be noticeable for some buyers, they’re unlikely to be deal-breakers for those focused on value, especially given how much technology remains included as standard.
What features do you still get?
Crucially, the Model 3 Standard still feels unmistakably like a Tesla. Buyers get the same 15.4-inch central touchscreen, a panoramic glass roof, adaptive LED headlights, heated front seats and a powered boot. Wireless phone charging is included, along with Tesla’s signature connected features such as Dog Mode, over-the-air updates and smartphone app access.
The car also rides on new 18-inch ‘Photon’ aero wheels, designed to improve efficiency and help protect residual values – an important consideration for leasing customers.
How does it compare to rivals?
At under £38,000, the Model 3 Standard significantly undercuts most electric saloons offering similar range. Comparable versions of the Polestar 2, BYD Seal and BMW i4 all sit well above £45,000, making Tesla’s pricing hard to ignore.
That aggressive positioning reinforces the Model 3’s status as one of the UK’s most accessible long-range electric cars, particularly for drivers who prioritise range, charging convenience and software over luxury extras.
When will UK deliveries begin?
Tesla has confirmed that UK deliveries of the Model 3 Standard will begin soon, arriving alongside the recently launched Model Y Standard. Orders are already open, with first customer handovers expected before the end of February.
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